On Friday, Facebook filed a complaint in a California federal court accusing StudiVZ of copying the look, feel, features and services of Facebook and seeks "to end StudiVZ's illegal activity" for fear that Facebook's own reputation be harmed by association.
"As with any counterfeit product, StudiVZ's uncontrolled quality standards for service, features and privacy negatively impact the genuine article," Facebook stated in their complaint.
StudiVZ reacted by filing for a declaratory judgment at the District Court in Stuttgart that same day. Facebook also wants StudiVZ to pay it compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
According to StudiVZ officials, Facebook is suing them only because Facebook has failed to transfer its success in the United States and other countries to the German market.
"Their strategy appears to be: 'If you can't beat them, sue them,'" said Marcus Riecke, chief executive of studiVZ.
Source Reuters
